Given that we have instances of "pull" being used in reference to cables tied between parts of a structure such that when one falls in a demolition involving explosives the cables will ensure a direction of fall for the other section of the structure; it would hardly be suprising if military demolitions perssonel have never heard or used the term. In military demolitions I would assume that such care and planning on the direction of fall is not a common concern.
Would I be correct in assuming that military demolitions are usually concerned with bringing a structure down as quickly as possible (that is, taking as little time to prepare the structure as possible) rather than stringing heavy cables within, and/or outside, the structure to ensure a direction of fall?
Seriously! You want me to discuss the word ‘pull’?
Why the emphasis on ‘pull’? It’s dead in the water. If Silverstein had used the words ‘bugger it’, or ‘oh blast it’, or ‘jack it in’, then I’m sure that we would be discussing how they would fit in with terms supposedly used to describe something dastardly.
The tediousness and irrelevance of discussing a common word such as ‘pull’ in any real context is surely better off in maybe a language forum. Is it not just a word that describes an everyday action, in much the same way that we use the same word in ‘pull your socks up’, ‘pull your finger out’, ‘pull your weight’, ‘I’m on the pull tonight’. I have used it when about to fart by saying to my kids & grandchildren, ‘pull that finger’. The word ‘pull’ is on millions of doors. So what?
The instances of ‘pull’ that you suggest and the context that you suggest they have been used have nothing whatsoever to do with any terminology/phrase/buzz word/technical lingo in common use for either civil demolition contractors or military personnel.
I am shocked that you think that “it would hardly be surprising that military demolitions personnel have never heard or used the term”. What term? It’s an every day word. Do you honestly believe that because we tend to destroy things for military purpose that we therefore wouldn’t be aware? Seriously? Please tell me that I haven’t misjudged you.
I also don’t believe you to be so naive to also believe that the military haphazardly ‘blows things up’ with no precision and that such care and planning on the direction of fall is not a common concern. It would be correct to say that time plays a huge part and it isn’t always possible to gain architectural blueprints or to fully access the building/structure but we would inevitably still concentrate on preparing the support structure, initiate the charges, which may/may not be overkill, and allow gravity to do the rest. If we want/need it to fall a certain way then we do. If not, then we don't.
We could also use SWR as an improvised method of demolition, specifically when attempting to deny a route or channel an enemy to a kill zone. Imagine a road/street with tall buildings either side and we want to fill/block the road/street. Using explosive means to carry that job out could/would give your position away and/or explosives may not be available. SWR could/would be readily available from a usable winch system attached to a piece of plant equipment, tractor, recovery vehicle, tank etc or it could be an improvised system of roled SWR and a AEH set (Anchor Earth Holdfasts) and a pulley system. All known methods and nothing unusual whatsoever. We generally use the terms ‘winch in’, or ‘take up the slack’ when we want to start winching in or ‘pulling’.
Civil contractors use steel cables/SWR directly on support columns as a secondary means to ensure that they are indeed ‘pulled’ in a certain direction as the building/structure falls. I would also imagine that no command words whatsoever would be neccessary for this 'pulling' to start as the CD would be set up from initiation and the 'pulling' comes into play as gravity takes effect. ''Pull it'? Why? You wouldnt see it!
Blasting now' or words to that effect, is all that is said.
SWR is also used, primarily, in buildings less than 20 storeys and alongside the wrecking crew’s kit, which could be cranes, steel balls, pincers etc. Again, nothing new.
Using the word ‘pull’ or the term 'pull it' means jack **** to me.
